Toddler recovering from lawn mower accident

Faith Rowell, 4, of Holts Summit, smiles in a hospital bed Thursday at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. Rowell suffered injuries to her right leg and left hand during a riding lawn mower accident on Tuesday. Her father, Todd Rowell, said this picture shows her smiling for the first time following the accident when he told Faith Rowell that he watered her tomatoes.
Faith Rowell, 4, of Holts Summit, smiles in a hospital bed Thursday at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. Rowell suffered injuries to her right leg and left hand during a riding lawn mower accident on Tuesday. Her father, Todd Rowell, said this picture shows her smiling for the first time following the accident when he told Faith Rowell that he watered her tomatoes.

A 4-year-old Holts Summit girl who was injured in a lawn mower accident earlier this week is in better spirits, her father said.

Faith Rowell was at a family member's home Tuesday when she ran outside and was accidentally run over by a riding lawn mower. She was transported to Capital Region Medical Center, then airlifted to the University Hospital in Columbia, where she endured a three-hour surgery. Her father, Todd Rowell, was at work during the accident and rushed to the hospital to care for her.

"I just drove and drove," he said. "I felt like I was in shock. It felt like I was in a movie. ... It didn't feel like it was real."

Doctors amputated her right foot and a portion of that leg, Rowell said. Her left wrist and hand were also injured.

Since her surgery, Rowell said Faith has been unable to eat and faces nightmares about the accident when she falls asleep. She perked up Wednesday, he said, and was excited to eat an apple. She also found joy in blowing bubbles.

Support from family, friends and even strangers is helping the Rowells - Todd, Faith and Faith's mother, June Rowell.

Rowell said he has been overwhelmed by the good thoughts, kind words and prayers for Faith. The father also gave special thanks to the Holts Summit Police Department and all the first responders who cared for Faith.

To help with medical costs, a GoFundMe online fundraising account has been established at gofundme.com/uh656c. Cindy Bauter, a college friend of Rowell's, set up the account, which raised $1,975 within a day.

The goal is $10,000 to cover out-of-pocket medical costs when the immediate deductible and insurance percentage coverage maxes out. Living in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, Bauter said she felt the fundraising site was a way she and other out-of-town friends and family could reach out to the Rowells.

"Everyone feels helpless," she said. "We couldn't be there to give them a hug - that physical contact."

Bauter said she knows when Faith leaves the hospital, the costs will continue because she will need physical therapy.

"We're just trying to make sure he isn't wiped out from the accident," Bauter said.

Rowell said Faith will be in the hospital for at least another week, depending on how her wound heals and improvements with physical therapy. She will have to learn how to walk with a prosthetic. A ramp will have to be installed at their home for when she leaves the hospital.